Publications
Partners
Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday convened a
follow-up summit with leaders of organised labour and business to discuss
problems facing the South African economy.
The conference, held at the Union Buildings, came on the
heels of a meeting on Friday evening at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential
Guesthouse.
Wednesday's closed-door meeting was attended by several
government and other officials, including Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan,
Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, and
Joseph Mathunjwa, president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction
Union (Amcu).
The summit coincides with the annual International Day for
the Eradication of Poverty.
The day, officially recognised by the United Nations, is
aimed at raising awareness of the need to eradicate poverty across the world.
A statement on the presidency's website said the conference
would discuss problems bedevilling South Africa emanating from slowing global
economic growth, the industrial relations environment in the country, and the
need to speed up the fight against poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
The statement said at the deliberations, the parties would
be led by the presidents of Business Unity SA, the Black Business Council,
Cosatu, Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa), and the National Council of Trade
Unions (Nactu).
Later, Zuma was scheduled to meet the leadership of the
Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, which was elected in July.
The delegation would be led by national convenor Hlengiwe
Mkhize, who is also deputy minister of economic development.
Discussions in that meeting would focus on developmental programmes for women in South Africa.
